fbpx

LANDMARKS: The Petterson House

By Beacon Staff

The house at 520 Fourth Ave. E. may not seem to be the most stunning example of an iconic architectural style – but if you take a closer look, it represents so much more.

When it comes to historic homes, hoping for a precise architectural style or a tidy history seems a bit idealistic. Oftentimes, things get lost between “how it is” and “how it used to be.”

The house was originally built and owned by Jacob and Emily Bottorf in 1900. The Bottorfs had retired and likely wanted to reside near their son, Dr. Morris Bottorf, whose name and legacy as a prominent local physician may be more familiar.

In 1908, Henry and Bertha Petterson purchased the originally brick home from the Bottorfs. Henry had emigrated in 1885 during the “second exodus” when tens of thousands immigrated to the United States from Norway. Henry was not alone, as many Scandinavians – Norwegians, Swedes, and Danes – made their way to the Flathead Valley in the late 19th century.

Henry and his fellow Norwegians left an indelible impression on the Flathead Valley. Sure, lutefisk may not be as commonly found as it once was (thankfully, as some would say due to the strong smell of this lyed-and-dried fish dish), but lefse (the bread typically served with lutefisk) and potato lefse are still quite easily acquired in some stores throughout the valley.

Likewise, the Pettersons left a legacy of their own with the residence as well. In the late 1920s, many homes in Kalispell were renovated in the popular Tudor style. And many brick homes – including this one – were resurfaced with stucco. Yet while many were also given the full Tudor treatment, with exposed timbers and other accoutrements of the style, this home was not.

Most noticeably, the Victorian-era shingling at the front gables of the house was left in its original style. While eave returns were often removed to accommodate the Tudor style, these were also left in place and provide another glimpse of the original, “Victorian-vernacular” style of the home (Victorian vernacular is more of a pastiche of characteristics that were popular at the time, than any one style in particular).

The Pettersons also converted what was likely an original carriage house or small cottage at the back alley into a garage.

Henry was a shoemaker and also worked for the Eagle Shoe Company – makers of the “Little Giant School Shoes” and other shoes that were popular in their day. Things appeared to be progressing well for the Petterson family, as they enjoyed all of the opportunities that America had seemed to promise. However, life sometimes gets interrupted – sometimes tragically. For the Petterson family, Bertha would unfortunately pass away, leaving

Henry to raise their two children at the home until 1928.

In 1929, Evelyn and Oscar Iverson purchased the home. Oscar was a butcher and meat cutter at Sykes Market in Kalispell. About a year later, the Iversons converted the residence into a rental property. The house was used for that purpose for quite some time, yet kept much of its late-1920s charm and appearance for us to appreciate today – and remind ourselves of the many traditions and trajectories that shaped the history of the Flathead Valley.

Jaix Chaix is a writer who appreciates history and architecture. Share your ideas and historical facts with him at [email protected]. Also visit facebook.com/flatheadvalleylandmarks. Jaix is also the author of the upcoming book series “Death in the Valley: Odd Tragedies in the Flathead Valley, Montana, 1887-1917.”